4 Jun 2009

American Samoan teenager in hospital after alleged beating by bus driver

3:38 pm on 4 June 2009

A 13 year-old student has been admitted to the LBJ Hospital in American Samoa with a dislocated spine after she was allegedly beaten by a public school bus driver.

The driver has been arrested and charged.

It's alleged the driver used a piece of timber to repeatedly hit the girl's head.

The victim and another student had been ordered off the bus after they had been fighting.

The 13 year-old received a dislocated spine and may need surgery to prevent possible paralysis.

The defendant is on bail on a charge of disturbing the public peace, but additional charges are expected.